This was the first time the Good Yeggs played at The Greenhouse Cafe in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and my second time having sat in on one tune with the Rockinghams some years back so I was aware of the stage dimensions, not too big, not too small, OK maybe a little on the smallish size and located at one end of the bar. There is a dining area in a separate room adjacent to the bar room.
We played well enough even though I gave the wrong count in to "Great Balls Of fire" and had to start that one over again.
Premiered tonight was "Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Rattled" by The Traveling Wilburys, a hybrid Stones/Temptation's version of "Just My Imagination/When The Whip Comes Down" medley and "Baby's In Black" by a band called The Beatles.
Thomas Under Glass.
Joe wearing a very nice shirt.
This gig was the most backing vocals I have sang yet.
There was indeed a festive atmosphere for tonight's performance from the get go because it was our friend Vlad's (Subway Serenader, Black Death) Birthday eve celebration so spirits were high and The Yeggs played exceptionally well tonight. Thomas played some Excellent Blues Guitar and we were a well relaxed outfit performing to some of our 3JP peers (Box Of Crayons, Joe Filosa, MC Too Tall) who were there to see the bands but also for the festivities and some bar patrons whom had not previously seen our show highlighting some good old Blues and Country Music that is become scarcer on the Brooklyn scene.
Premiered tonight was "Jumping Jack Flash", "Hey Good Looking", "Till The End Of The Day", "Baby, Lets Play House" and a new original tune from Thomas "Unfaithful Lady".
Thomas brandishing his 2005 Custom Shop 1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue, He also brought his guitar along as well.
My main Drum Kit, Ludwig Accent CS Custom with Ludwig and Tama Hardware, Sabian AAX and Zildjian "China Trash" Cymbals played with Pro-Mark 747 Nylon Tip Drumsticks. LP Cowbell and Vater stick holder included.
Joe rocking it with his Ibanez Art Core semi-hollow body Bass with double cut aways and F-Holes finished in an Amber Brushed finish. Jeans by Levi Strauss.
Supporting The Good Yeggs tonight were SMOOCH a KISS tribute band of which I am also the drummer. This was our debut gig and went very well, Brian made sure all contractual obligations were met and obeyed. Brian/Gene and Carl/Paul have previously played with us in the Subway Serenader band.
Box Of Crayons performed between our two sets and proved once again that if you aren't Irish you might want to become one. Featuring the incomparable Fran Powers on vocals along with Brian Dillon.
Setting up Vlad's Birthday Feast, this photo was taken before the Bagel Wheel came out. The Good Yeggs missed the Bagel Wheel as we were performing at the time but a high time was had by us in the "Green Room" between our sets. It was discovered that I only had my first Rice Krispie treat maybe 5 years ago and me and Jennie discussed how the Cheddar Cheese on offer was an excellent Mild variety but a crappy Extra Sharp depending on what the packaging advertised, the packaging never showed itself so this shall remain an enigma.
Brian/Subway Serenader/Box Of Crayons/Pocket Monster/Black Death/Gene from Smooch with the birthday boy Vlad.
I may have missed the Bagel Wheel but I did succeed in making my 3JP sojourn down the block to Pancho's Restaurant for a few Taco's. Pictured here is (1) Bistec/Steak Taco and (1) Pollo/Chicken Taco, I wanted a Tinga/Spicy Chicken Taco but that was not on the menu.
You know that old saying "The Burrito Got The Best Of Me".
Well that was tonight's Gig, I had a Burrito and I played my best pretty much aside from warmup pains for the first few songs (of which I recently bragged to Tom that I no longer suffered from) and dropping my stick during the third encore (of three) at the end of our rendition of B.B. King's "Sweet Little Angel" (no one noticed and SHIT I almost played a perfect show), Forgot my high-hat stand at home of which Joe came to the rescue and brought his and propped Tom's flashlight on my Burrito filled bag for my printed/teleprompter lyrics to The Beatles "What Goes On" of which I sang and there was also a U.F.O. sighting. That said and done lets get on with the gist of the evening.
The Good Yeggs arrived with our gear and a Box of CDs to celebrate the digital fruition of our recordings made over a few years time and we promise ourselves and You the beloved listener that it will be a much shorter gap in production now that we are out in the open with our debut CD and the natives clamoring for more.
To me this was the best show we have played to date, songs were fluid and the Drink's were fluid as well. During the encore portion we had planned out "Johnny B. Goode" but were asked for two more before night's finish. The Yegg's played a sublime version of the Sub-Basement Blues Band warhorse "Coney Island Summer" and if that wasn't enough we ended with "Sweet Little Angel" (mentioned above) with some very tasty dynamics as called upon by Thomas during his guitar solo (Keep it Low and then Blow It Out).
Thanks for the Good Yegg's photo's by Matt Shanley.
Photo Via Vlad Viz
The Subway Serenader had the crowd in Punk Rock Anarchist mode with Vlad and Carl on the Guitars along with Thomas, Joe and myself providing the Rhythm/Lead Guitar section. Add the heroics and conducting from The Subway Serenader and it was a Great set.
Most of us being New Yorkers well,... we understand what a song like "Hate The T.A." is all about.
Costume Changes and stage props abounded in abundance. The Santeria doll was left out by accident but let's leave that to the Santerians, I think the Thorny Devil Horn's made a better, positive and effective Christian impression.
There was Moshing too, from The Subway Serenader himself and the crowd was Most Receptive.
Harold the Horny Hunter had an Enormous Horn.
In this case it's Joe with his Longhorn which is light in weight and has become Joe's favorite weapon of choice, so much so he is considering purchasing the company and their forefathers and their forefathers forefathers.
Thomas with his Tasty Tone On Tube amp.
My Favorite Drummer in the World.
Jazelyn our Banshee Singing Friend, Cohort, Noisemaker, Criminal and Sweetheart joined The Yeggs for "American Crank" of which she is on the official recording as well.
My Friend and Blues Guitarist Stephen made it down to the show all the way from Jersey City. A nicer man you will never meet.
Blue Moon in the glass, Pro-Mark Hot Rods on the snare (These are used during Johnny Cash' "Folsom Prison Blues") They compliment each other. Beer and Wood or if you prefer Wood and Beer.
I captured video of what I was looking at all night through the window 2 feet to the left from me behind the kit. A U.F.O. that is plain to see.
It's a reflection of one of the light fixture/fans on 3 Jolly Pigeon's ceiling for all you naysayers and unbelievers.
It all began like any other rehearsal night for us running through our set list for the upcoming gig at Three Jolly Pigeons and enjoying some delicious Manhattan's that Joe mixed for us with the remaining Bourbon from a 1.75 Litre (Half Gallon bottle of Jim Beam), Second drink and new bottle opened during our break between sets and this drink went right to Joe's head (not that we were totally sober either) much to Joe's puzzlement but what can you do.
What we decided to do was Have More Drinks.
By this point in the evening Thomas decided he was going to crash at Joe's so instead of eating Joe and Jennie's dinner from Gino's Pizzeria we ordered some more food from Yummy Fresh Taco. I mentioned I would be leaving shortly to which Joe replied "come on!!! how often does this happen!!!" he had a point you know, this never happens. Joe and myself had off the next day and Thomas took a vacation day. We ate, threw out the containers of which there were no leftovers and broke a few dishes by accident all the while keeping our glasses full after which Tom and Joe arranged and wrote two new songs (1,2,3 & 4 and Shine, Shine) while I doodled on a notepad.
(pictured above) Pork Fried Rice (Quart), Chicken Wings (20 piece) that I usually don't eat but did this time and Chorizo Mexican Pizza.
Much to our amazement we polished off an entire half gallon of Jim Beam.
Like proud parents my fellow bandmates parade our accomplishment for the camera.
On one of our many breaks out on the deck Joe was literally Rolling On The Floor Laughing His Ass Off. Well, he did start making the cannibal jokes and I guess you had to be there. Of note also is the fact that Joe was having trouble all night with his cuban cigar that would not draw/inhale properly, he finally jettisoned it off into the dark of the night.
At around 2 a.m. we brought our singing, strumming and wire brushes on an envelope selves down to the rehearsal room so Jennie could get some sleep and also performed as quietly as possible an impromptu Blues Jam (Sweet Little Angel, Coney Island Summer etc.). My experience performing at wedding receptions came in handy here and I was playing so low that the squeaks from the Bass Drum pedal became part of the music, by this time I was also playing with my eyes closed as I could hardly keep them open. Afterwards Thomas and me topped off the evening with a stiff Vodka and Iced Tea drink.
Here is my notepad doodle from earlier in the evening, this photo was taken at 6 a.m. after two hours sleep as I anticipated Thomas' alarm going off as he informed me he was leaving at 6:30, this of course did not happen so I had a brief chat with Jennie who was heading off to work. Around 7:30 I lay back down to be awoken by Thomas around 8:30.
It was indeed a night to remember and due to the bourbon forget large chunks of too.
Earlier in the evening I expressed interest in holding on to the Blue Cheese and Celery to munch on later and Thomas not realizing the dressing was uncovered offered me some Hot Sauce as well.
This gig has been a long time coming for me as I was booked with another band last time the Good Yeggs accompanied The Subway Serenader and I felt as I had missed out on a different kind of musical experience just from firstly knowing Brian and secondly knowing material from his groups Box Of Crayons, Black Death and Rock Farm.
After 2 rehearsals with Brian (The Subway Serenader), Carl (Guitar) and Vlad (Guitar, Backing Vocals) with The Good Yeggs - Joe (Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals), Tom (Guitar, Backing Vocals) and me, Spike (Drums) we performed 10 Original songs in a tight concise set (4 Clicks "on the sticks" Please) comprised of melancholy subway serenades to soothe the soul and salve the sores of salty straphangers everywhere.
Performed tonight was also the annual holiday favourite "Christmas In the Subway" of which Fran Powers (Box Of Crayons) joined us onstage for this rollicking yuletide event and in April nonetheless.
After the performance my ladylove Jamie said without Delay that The Subway Serenader "fared very well".
Thomas watches in bemused amazement.
Subway Serenader - On The Subway - (Jenniecam)
The Good Yeggs played a loose yet tight set of 13 tightly loose songs. We prepared well and the only hitch was that I held the only setlist and began withholding info on the next number so I could get a sip of my Miller and/or PBR Liquid Bread before barreling into the next number as my bandmates kept rolling them Off!!!. Premiered tonight was "Passing By"
American Crank (profane mix) (Jamiecam)
Never Lie To You (Jenniecam)
Minnie The Moocher (Jamiecam)
In a first tonight I broke my Drumstick right on the last beat of a song.
The Subway Serenaders "Hip Hop" tune "Going TA Hell" ends with a Flam (hitting the drum with both sticks at the same time but just slightly apart) and at this very moment my stick came apart.
Also of note was Freddy's Band Policy tonight which was Free PBR or Miller for band members, hence the PBR on Snare drum photo.
Being that Brian (the Subway Serenader himself) still does things with mailing lists and by choice is not internet savvy I wanted to spearhead an online ad campaign via Facebook for his next appearance at Freddy's Backroom that incidentally will have the Good Yeggs accompanying him for his performance followed by a full set by us (The Good Yeggs) to close out the night.
Who Is The Subway Serenader ? (3/29/13)
Are You Ready For The Subway Serenader ? (3/30/13)
The first question many (few) would ask is why ?!!!!
My first answer is F.U. We Rocked and at least We Seriously Tried By God!!!.
My second answer is "If nobody else will then it becomes landfill", my bandmate Thomas in the Sub-Basement Blues Band and on the first archived recording "The Enemy Sessions" had this to say after playback.
I Listened to the old SBBB recording. If this tape was ever thrown away, and the landfill that it ended up in excavated and homes built on it, it would be worse than building homes on an ancient Indian burial ground - Tom Roberto - Guitar, Vocals
DISC ONE - The Enemy Sessions contains two versions each of "I'm Not Your Enemy (early run throughs) and Sound Of Music (early run throughs) plus around Ten Minutes of Guitar Tuning. circa nineteeneightysomething.
We had a feeling of accomplishment as the long gestating project of our first album was finalized today concerning artwork, track selection and sequencing and are already looking towards our sophomore project.
As these tracks were recorded months and years apart there is a great variety of mood, execution and ambience about. It feels like a field recording but these were all recorded under the same eaves, Not to compare or liken to anyone else I get an "Odds & Sods" by the WHO feel from this collection but that is from my vantage point inside the monster.
Joe brought in a new technique to the Yeggs recording process that he read about in David Byrne's book "How Music Works" and which The "BONO" also utilizes which is that of "Control Room Tracking" wherein no headphones are used but the singer is listening to the track he/she is singing/dubbing onto live via monitor speaker(s).
Negligible microphone leakage (helped along by placement and polar pattern) discrepancies reported to limit the use of this technique.
Lets hear it for Thomas' job at producing, mixing and engineering the record, every track sounds very different from the one right next to it and is crystal clear in clarity and instrument separation. Thomas also has a humble bedside manner during recording by getting a better take without making you feel an inferior musician or imbecilic toadstool.
The highlight of my weekend is Guiro Overdubs,... that and Midget Pierogie Tossing.
Upon arrival at Thomas' house we honored the British with a little "tea party" since Tom likes the Beatles and I like ELO.
Joe likes "some" Anglophile tunes but for the most part can be heard muttering "screw those Limeys, America created Rock and Roll!!!" to the man on the street and of course visiting British tourists whenever he can.
Thomas' son Lennon helped us with production duties over the course of the day and he and I discussed "Slenderman" and "Minecraft" in some detail. This photograph is a dedication to the Slenderman but can you spot Lennon or has Lennon learnt the first lesson of not being seen?
kindly leave your replies in the comments section below.
Sonically we knew Exactly what this song was going to look like in graphical representation then we opened it and there it was.
Noticeably Superior Chinese Food from "Fortune Kitchen" of Richmond Hill, Queens.
Ironically instead of having my dinner off the snare drum today I am having it off of Thomas' Roland Piano (well, he did offer).
But what really fed the day once we started finalizing track selection order was that Nutritious and Wonderful Elixir, Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey.
